Western Springs House Painter Accused Of Burglary

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — A house painter in Western Springs was caught stealing a delivery person's wallet in early November, police said.

As a result, Daniel M. Knowa, 24, of Chicago, a painter with Elmhurst-based Prestige Painting and Decor, was arrested on a burglary charge last week, police said.

Patch received the police report through a public records request.

In the late afternoon of Nov. 5, a pair of delivery employees for Peloton fitness company made a delivery to a house in the 3900 block of Grand Avenue, according to the report. They noticed a painting crew at the house.

When the delivery employees returned to their van, they saw one of the painters, identified as Knowa, inside. They approached Knowa and asked him what he was doing inside. One of the employees noticed his wallet missing from the van's console and told the painter to empty his pockets, according to the report.

Knowa then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the stolen wallet, dropping it on the ground and driving away in a minivan south on Grand, police said.

When police were called, an officer spoke with a Prestige employee who was at the house when the theft occurred. He identified Knowa, but said the suspect was working at a house down the block, police said. When police went to that house, Knowa was not there.

The police then contacted Prestige's owner, who called Knowa and told him to go to the house where he was working. But Knowa hung up on the owner, police said. The owner said Knowa had worked for Prestige for six months and knew of no other incidents involving theft.

The Peloton employee said about $100 was taken from his wallet. He later said he wanted to press charges.